Do You Really Need An Annual Hearing Test?

hearing specialist testing hearing ability of patient

The short answer is, yes, you should have a regular evaluation as part of your overall health maintenance schedule and routine. Even if you feel okay, an audiologist may uncover an issue or aspect that you might not be aware of or have overlooked.

Take the time to dive a bit deeper into the question; do you really need an annual hearing test? This way you can get a better understanding of all the benefits of doing so. Learn all the reasons why it’s a wise idea and that you should consider scheduling an appointment with an audiologist right away.

When to Get a Hearing Test

Generally speaking, you should begin with a baseline hearing test when you reach adulthood and continue to get your hearing tested every few years thereafter. See and speak with an audiologist every year once you hit the age of 55. You’ll not only be able to track your hearing over time this way but it’s a chance to identify any indicators of hearing loss before you experience damage that may be irreversible.

Hearing Loss is Usually Gradual

One reason why you really should test your hearing annually is that hearing loss is typically gradual. It’s important that you’re proactive and can become aware of any potential issues as soon as possible. You want to be alerted of any changes in your hearing and closely monitor it as time passes.

You might be able to catch any signs of hearing loss this way before it becomes too advanced. Not only see an audiologist for your annual hearing test but become aware of any changes to your hearing in your daily life and as you go about your tasks.

Age isn’t the Only Reason for Hearing Loss

You should also keep in mind that hearing loss doesn’t only impact those who are aging. It’s a chronic condition that affects a lot of people and it may not always occur just because of old age. Instead, there are injuries, infections and diseases that can be the cause of hearing loss as well. Noise-related hearing gloss is becoming more and more common among the younger generations.

The Consequences of Untreated Hearing Loss

There are many negative effects of untreated hearing loss that you can prevent with an annual hearing test. For starters, it impacts your health and happiness overall. You can also catch any hearing loss before it turns into a more serious matter by seeing an audiologist annually. The truth is that you can experience hearing loss at any age such as due to extreme noises in your work environment.

By and large, the longer you wait to address and treat hearing loss, the worse it’s likely to become over time. Hearing loss is also linked to several other health matters and diagnoses such as heart disease, dementia, depression and sleep apnea. You might also start to notice disruptions to your working and personal relationships when you choose not to treat hearing loss. You may soon experience damage to several areas of your overall wellbeing such as your social, physical and emotional health.

Next Steps

It’s advisable and wise that you get your hearing tested now, especially if you haven’t in a while or haven’t been keeping up with your annual visits. The sooner you have a hearing test and are evaluated by an audiologist, the sooner you can and easier it’ll be to take action. 

It’s a positive and proactive approach even if you’re not experiencing hearing loss today. The tests don’t take very long and will give you peace of mind. You’ll be glad you did and can rest assured your audiologist will help you treat any hearing loss immediately.

Taking care of your hearing health can improve the quality of your life and your relationships. When it comes to the question, do you really need an annual hearing test, the answer should now be quite apparent that it’s a wise idea. It’s better to know about hearing loss and to treat it with a helpful solution than it is to go about ignoring the matter and feeling disconnected and frustrated because you can’t hear well.  

The Hearing Center at York ENT is committed to providing high-quality, professional and compassionate care for disorders of hearing and balance. We are guided by our core values of expertise, kindness and business integrity. Our team offers a variety of services that can aid you in addressing your hearing health and any hearing concerns.

Learn more about The Hearing Center at York ENT by calling us today at (717) 850-9269. We’re always happy to answer any questions you have!